hp-align

hp-align [OPTION...] [DEVICE_URI|PRINTER_NAME]

-h, --help
    Show a help message describing all available command options.

-v, --version
    Display the installed HPLIP version being used by the utility.

-P printer_name, --printer=printer_name
    Specify the target HP printer by its CUPS (Common Unix Printing System) queue name.

-d device_uri, --device=device_uri
    Specify the target HP printer by its device URI (e.g., usb://HP/DeskJet?serial=ABCDEF). This option overrides --printer if both are provided.

-i, --interactive
    Run the alignment process in an interactive mode, prompting the user for necessary input throughout the procedure.

-c, --color
    Specifically align the color printhead. This option is typically used for printers with separate color and black printheads.

-b, --black
    Specifically align the black printhead. This option is typically used for printers with separate color and black printheads.

hp-align is a command-line utility provided by the HPLIP (HP Linux Imaging and Printing) project. Its primary function is to perform printhead alignment for HP inkjet printers connected to a Linux system.

Printhead alignment is a crucial maintenance procedure that ensures optimal print quality, preventing issues such as streaks, misaligned lines, fuzzy text, or inaccurate colors. When executed, hp-align typically initiates a diagnostic process on the printer, which involves printing a specific alignment page. The user may then be prompted to follow on-screen instructions, often requiring the printed page to be scanned back into the printer or for visual confirmation of patterns. Proper alignment ensures that the microscopic nozzles on the printhead precisely deposit ink onto the paper, leading to sharp text and vibrant, accurate images. It serves as an essential tool for maintaining the performance of HP inkjet printers in a Linux environment.

• Requires the HPLIP (HP Linux Imaging and Printing) software suite to be correctly installed and the printer to be configured via CUPS.
• Not all HP printer models support software-driven electronic alignment; some might require manual alignment via the printer's physical control panel.
• During the alignment process, the printer will usually print an alignment page. The user will typically need to follow further instructions, which might involve scanning this page back into the printer or making visual selections based on patterns.
• The printer must be powered on and properly connected to the system (via USB, network, etc.) for the command to function.

This command should be utilized when you notice a degradation in print quality, such as visible streaks, misaligned text or images, blurry output, or inaccurate color reproduction. It is also recommended after replacing ink cartridges or if the printer has been moved or stored for an extended period.

When you run hp-align, it sends a command to your HP printer to print a specialized alignment sheet. This sheet contains various patterns that the printer uses to calibrate its printhead. Depending on the printer model, you might then be instructed to scan this page back using the printer's built-in scanner, or visually inspect the patterns and select the best one via the printer's control panel or a subsequent GUI utility. This feedback loop allows the printer's firmware to precisely adjust the firing of its tiny nozzles, ensuring accurate ink placement for sharp and clear prints.

hp-align is an integral component of the HPLIP (HP Linux Imaging and Printing) project, an open-source initiative led by HP to provide comprehensive support for HP printers, scanners, and fax machines on Linux. Its development has evolved alongside the increasing complexity of HP inkjet printer technologies and the demand for robust driver support and maintenance utilities in the Linux ecosystem. The command ensures that essential printer maintenance tasks, often handled by proprietary software on other operating systems, are fully accessible to Linux users, thereby extending the usability and longevity of HP hardware.

hp-check(1), hp-setup(1), hp-testpage(1), lp(1), lpstat(1)